Vaal River – Barrage to Parys
Vaal River – Barrage to Parys · gauteng, free state
Grade
II
Length
44km
Duration
4 to 7 hours
About
A long, mostly flat section with numerous channels — excellent for K1/K2 racing with attractive scenery and some challenging obstacles. It begins wide and flat, with roughly 10km before the first rapid, Benoude Boude. Once multi-channelled, the race line now sticks left all the way. At high levels a fair-sized hole stretches across the river at the bottom. Although small, most rapids on this section can seriously damage a glass boat due to sharp rocks. An older weir further down has been submerged by the construction of the Goose Canyon Bay weir. The Goose Canyon Bay weir is very high but includes a paddlers' chute on the right — shoot it 1m left of the pillar. It becomes a compulsory portage at high levels due to suckback. The river then winds past a small resort on the Gauteng side (20km from the start) where some shorter races end. From the resort to Smilin Thru Chalets, the river threads interesting islands with small rapids. Competitive paddlers must learn these channels; some loop well around islands before rejoining the main current. Races finish at the Likkewaan Canoe Club (about 8km downstream of Smilin Thru), above the big weir upstream of Parys.
Access
Put-in
Take-out
Permits
None